Brennan opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season at 1:45 of the first period. He struck again 98 seconds later to give the Marlies a 2-0 advantage.

St. John's responded with three unanswered goals, two before the end of the opening period. Gordon put the visitors on the board at 6:11, followed by O'Neill's first goal of the season at 8:40.

Samson gave St. John's its first lead of the game with a power-play marker at 13:49 of the second period.

The Marlies tied it 3-3 at 15:28 when Liles scored his team's second power-play goal of the day. MacLeod scored the eventual game winner with less than one minute remaining in the period. Legein and Brennan added third period goals to seal the victory.

The Marlies to New York to take on the Rochester Americans — AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres — on Friday.